Akatsuki's hideout. Amegakure, the Land of Rain.
Inside the leader's tower in the center of the village, which originally belonged to Nagato, the members of Akatsuki were now arriving one by one.
This time, it wasn't the Magic Lantern Body Technique... they were gathering here in person for the meeting.
Deidara, with his hands behind his head, couldn't help but complain, "I can't even remember how many years ago it was when everyone last gathered together in person."
Sasori, hiding within Hiruko, said with obvious impatience, "Why did you call us here? I'm very busy."
Hidan, who had just handed the Seven-Tails' Jinchuriki over to Obito, hefted his scythe and shrugged, "Who knows? Hopefully, Obito brought some interesting news. Otherwise, I'll sacrifice him to Jashin-sama."
Although Obito had become the new owner of the Rinnegan, his subordinates respected him even less than they had Nagato.
After all, the pathetic 'simp' jokes about Obito had spread throughout the Ninja World.
No matter the world, such simps were looked down upon.
Just as Hidan finished speaking, a powerful repulsive force blasted him away.
Boom!
Hidan's body slammed hard into the wall, creating a spiderweb-like crater, and rubble showered down.
Many present changed expression, recognizing the move as the former Deva Path's Shinra Tensei.
At that moment, Obito emerged from an inner room with a gloomy expression. The Rinnegan in his eye sockets glowed with a cold purple light. He asked coldly, looking at Hidan embedded in the wall, "Hidan, do you really think I wouldn't dare kill you?"
One had to admit, the Rinnegan's intimidation was terrifying.
Seeing the new eyes in Obito's sockets, everyone present suppressed their previous looks of contempt.
However, Hidan fell from the wall, wiped the blood from his mouth, and grinned, "If you kill me, how will you fight the Ninja World Government?"
As annoying as Hidan was, he wasn't stupid.
The hostile relationship between Akatsuki and the Ninja World Government was already known to the entire world, especially since Obito dared to publicly declare war on the government yesterday.
At this point, losing any combatant from Akatsuki would be very dangerous.
Although Obito's thought process wasn't normal, he still understood this basic logic.
"That might not necessarily be the case, Hidan."
Just then, a unified Black and White Zetsu emerged from the ground.
"Did you get the goods?" Obito asked coldly.
White Zetsu smiled slightly and formed hand seals together with Black Zetsu.
Immediately, countless coffins burst forth from the earth.
Seeing this familiar sight, Sasuke's expression changed.
He instantly guessed what Ninjutsu this was.
Then, to the astonished gazes of the many Akatsuki members, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu shouted in unison:
"Ninja Art: Edo Tensei!"
Bang... Bang... Bang…
The coffin lids automatically fell away, revealing the greyish-white figures within.
Everyone's faces changed dramatically.
The Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu.
The Second Tsuchikage, Mu.
The Third Raikage, A.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
Hanzo of the Salamander.
Kinkaku and Ginkaku.
All were powerful figures who had left their names in Ninja World history.
And not only those who had died years ago, but also the unlucky ones who had recently died at the hands of the Ninja World Government during the Fourth Great Ninja War—
The Fourth Raikage, A.
Killer B.
Nii Yugito.
Onoki.
What shocked Sasuke even more, however, was that among the reanimated in these coffins were many familiar faces—
The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
Hatake Sakumo.
Sarutobi Asuma.
"What an impressive feat!" Kisame couldn't help but smile, his shark-like face full of excitement.
To be honest, when Obito announced the war against the Ninja World Government yesterday, Kisame thought he had lost his mind.
Although he supported the Infinite Tsukuyomi, he didn't think Akatsuki had the capital to contend with the government at all.
Seeing this now, it seemed he had underestimated these schemers.
Kakuzu raised an eyebrow, "To think you could even steal these corpses from Konoha... I've underestimated your infiltration abilities, Zetsu."
The corpses from other villages were one thing. The current headquarters of the Ninja World Government was located near Konoha's rear mountain.
Under these circumstances, for Zetsu to steal the corpses of such powerful figures was enough to shock Kakuzu, an old monster who had lived nearly a hundred years.
Black Zetsu and White Zetsu smiled but said nothing.
There were so many Sensor-type experts in Konoha now... they would be discovered immediately upon any infiltration.
The reason they successfully stole so many corpses was, of course, because Makoto had permitted it.
It was all to deceive Obito into starting this war.
Obito turned to look at Hidan, his Rinnegan devoid of any emotion, "Now, do you still think I wouldn't dare kill you? Hidan."
This time, Hidan completely backed down.
Faced with so many Edo Tensei powerhouses, he knew his importance to Obito had become negligible.
And even if he had an immortal body, Obito, that psychologically disturbed simp, had plenty of ways to make him wish he were dead.
Hidan raised his hands in surrender and shuffled back to a corner with a sheepish grin.
Seeing that Hidan didn't cause further trouble, Obito didn't press the matter.
After all, even with so many Edo Tensei powerhouses, when facing a behemoth like the Ninja World Government, every bit of fighting strength mattered.
"It's not over yet."
Just then, Black Zetsu formed hand seals again.
"Edo Tensei."
Two more coffins rose from the ground.
Everyone frowned slightly, wondering what Black Zetsu was up to this time.
Then, Black Zetsu smiled slightly, and the coffin lids automatically opened.
Instantly, everyone's expressions changed dramatically.
Even Obito's included.
Because the corpses inside these two new coffins were none other than the legendary duo of the Warring States Period—
Senju Hashirama.
Uchiha Madara.
"Black Zetsu, what is the meaning of this?" Obito's expression darkened.
He had no intention of having Madara participate in this war.
Regarding the man who told him 'This world is hell' and was the first implementer of the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan…
Now that he felt capable of standing on his own, Obito did not want Madara to be revived.
After all, Madara also wanted to become the Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails, to be the core of the plan.
But Obito wanted to do it himself.
Black Zetsu's voice was calm: "To deal with the Ninja World Government, we need even greater power. Regardless of Nishikawa Makoto himself, just considering his subordinates and his women, with our current combat strength, Obito, do you really think you can beat him?"
Hearing this, Obito fell silent.
His Rinnegan stared at Madara's greyish-white figure within the coffin. It was a long time before he suppressed the rage in his heart.
"...I understand."
His voice was squeezed out between his teeth.